The chants started late — “Ken-yon Mar-tin, Ken-yon Mar-tin.” But the newest Knick, while moved, knew he wasn’t getting in the game.

“That’s a great feeling,” Martin said after he sat through last night’s 99-93 victory over the 76ers, his first official game as a Knick. “I think we converted a few fans when I was in Jersey. But I’m a Knick now and I’m embracing it.”

Martin, who signed a 10-day contract Friday, said he was aware he would not play last night.

“I’ve still got to pick up some more plays,” he said.

Martin provides the team with good insurance with foot injuries to bigs Marcus Camby and Rasheed Wallace. And he laughed about joining the Knicks’ graybeards.

“I’m 35. I’m young around here,” he said.

* Coach Mike Woodson stayed with a rotation tweak he began in Toronto. Instead of using Tyson Chandler for the entire first quarter, he pulled him a little early and then used him to start the second quarter. That way he gets Amar’e Stoudemire’s offense in the first and Chandler’s defense in the second.

“I’m pulling Tyson a little bit earlier now in the first to get Amar’e started at the five and then bringing Tyson back to start the second quarter just for defensive purposes,” Woodson said.

Said Chandler: “Whatever the team needs. Whatever the team needs... I’ve got to get in a rhythm because it’s different. I’m out there playing with different guys.”

* Woodson admitted he wanted to get Jason Kidd back as a facilitator to allow Raymond Felton to freelance offensively. Woodson also wants to cut Kidd’s minutes.